Heaving plug



April 2, 1929. R. R. HALL. ET AL HEAVING PLUG Filed May 11, 1926 F MWZM WZ'TORNEK' Patented Apr. 2, 1929.

UNITED STATES 1,707,659 PATENT OFFICE.

RALPH R. HALL, LONG BEACH, "AND FRANK J. KIGHTLINGER. OF TORRAiNCE,

CALIFORNIA.

HEAVING PLUG.

Application filed May 11,

-This invention relates to oil well equipment and it relates particularly to a unique form of heaving plug.

After an oil well has been drilled so that the oil bearing formation is penetrated, a steel casing, known as an oil string, is installed therein. The lower end of this casing is provided in the form of a screen pipe which has openings therein which permit the oil in the oil bearing formations to flow to the interior of the oil string. Then the oil string is being installed, the lower end thereof is open so that it may be lowered into place without obstruction. After the oil string has been installed it is common practice to close the lower end thereof by means of a heaving plug which is for the purpose of keeping sand from the interior of the oil string. The heaving plug is usually lowered into place by means of a cable.

It is an object of thisinvention to provide a heaving plug which may be readily dropped to the lower end of an oil string and which will automatically lock itself in place.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a heaving plug which may be set in a retracted position so that it may be dropped to the lower end of the oil string.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be made manifest hereinafter.

Referring to the drawing in which we illustrate this invention,

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic View showing the invention installed at the lower end of an oil string.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section of the invention showing the position of the parts while it is being lowered through the oil vention showing it inlocked position at the lower end of the oil string.

Fig. 4 is a-section taken on the line '44 of Fig. 3. i

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawing, the numeral 11 represents a well in which a water string 12 is secured by cement 13. Extending through the water string 12 is an oil string 15 having a screen pipe 16 at the lower end thereof which extends into oilbearing sands 17. Placed in the lower end of the screen pipe 16 for the purpose of 1926. Serial No. 108,252.

excluding sand therefrom is a heaving plug 19 embodying the features of the invention.

The details of the heaving plug 19 are shown in Figs. 2 to 5 inclusive, to which figures reference will now be had. The numeral 20 represents a body having a cavity 21- which is open at the lower end of the body, being closed at the upper end. A lower part 22 of the body 20 is tapered as shown, being of smaller size at the upper end thereof. Formed 0n the lower part 22 of the body 20 is a plurality of flat faces 23 which converge as the upper end ofthe part 22 is approached. Formed centrally along the flat faces 23 are dovetail grooves 24 as best shown in Fig. 4. The upper part of the body 20 is provided in the form of a dome 26 which has a cylindrical face 27. An annular flange 28 is formed on the body 20 between the lower part 22 and the dome 26 thereof. The flange 28 is provided with a number of slots 30 which align with the dovetail grooves 24.

The numeral 32 represents a head having a cylindrical cavity 33 into which the dome 26 extends. The head 32 has a pin 34 formed at the upper part thereof which serves as a means of attachmentto a cable or other member, by'which the heaving plug 19 is lowered to home in the oil string 15. Carried by the head 32 is a key. in the form of a pin 36 (Fig. 5), this key extending into a keyway provided in the dome 26 in the form of a slot 37. This key and keyway arrangement provides a means for restraining the body 20 and the head 32 from relative rotative movement but permits the head 32 to move axially on the dome 26.

Extended from a lower face 3.9 of the head 32 are pairs of lugs 40, between which the upper ends of members in the form of links 41 extend. Pivot pins 42 are provided for pivot-ally securing the upper end of the links 41 to the pairs of lugs 40. These links 41 extend downward through the slots 30 formed in the flange 28 and the lower ends thereof extend between pairs of lugs 44 formed at the upper-ends of slips 45. Pivot pins 46 are provided for pivotally attaching the lower ends of the links 41 to the pairs of lugs 44.

The slips have inner flat faces 48 which contact the flat faces 23 of the body 20. The outer faces of the slips 45 are arcuatedand are provided with gripping teeth 49.

Formed at the central part of the flat'faces 48 of the slips 45 and extending in an up right direction are dovetails 51 which extend into the dovetail grooves 24. This dovetail groove arrangement holds the slips 45 against the flat faces 23 but permits the slips to be moved up and down with the head 32 relative to the body 20. When the head 32 is in the position shown in Fig. 2,

the slips 45 resting at the upper ends of the be lowered into the oil string 15,the parts thereof are in the position shown in Fig. 2. At this time a breakable pin is extended through the openings 53 and 54. This pin 55 is usually made of wood and it serves to lock the arts inthe desired position during lowering of the heaving plug to the lower end of the oil string 15. The lowering is accomplished b means of a cable or equivalent which is etachably attached to the pin 34 of the'head 32 by means of a claw 60. The claw has .a body 61 which is secured to the lower end of a lowering cable.

63. Flexible claw arms 64 are secured at their upper ends to the claw body. 61' and have fingers 65 whichconverge in gripping relation with one of several annular grooves 66 formed in the pin 34.

When the lower end of the screen pipe 16 is reached, the lower end of the body 20 impacts against the sand at the lower end of this screen pipe 16. There is a considerable jar at this time and the inertia of the head 32 is suflicient to completely shear the breakable pin 55, and the head 32 will move downward relative to the body 20, thusmoving the parts into the positions shown in Fig. 3.

The slips45 are at this time moved from retracted into extended position so that the teeth 49 thereof grip the inner wall of the screen pipe 16. A sudden jerk upon the cable 63 will flex the claw arms 64 and disengage the claw 60 from the pin 34, whereupon the cable 63 is drawn to the surface. A very common occurrence in an oil well,

I is what is known as heaving This heaving is caused by the surging of bodies of as" which are resent in the oil-bearing sands 17. This caving results in a great tendency for the sand at the lower end of the screen pipe 16 to move upward to the interior thereof. The sand passes into-the cavity 21 of the body 20, and when the heaving occurs the tendency is to force the body 20 upward. As will be obvious from the slips 45 are automatically extended into gripping position when the heaving plug reaches the lower end of the screen pipe 16. Another feature of the invention is that the heaving of the well is utilized for the purpose of tightly securing the heaving plug in place. A further feature of the invention is the breakable pin 55 which is utilized for setting the parts of the heaving plug 19 in retracted position while it is being lowered to the bottom end of the screen pipe 16.

We claim as our invention:

1. A heaving plug adapted to be lowered into and secured in the lower end of an oil tube, said heaving plug comprising: a body having faces which diverge towards the lower part of said body, and a dome formed above said faces; a head adapted to engage said dome; means preventing said head from rotating on said dome but permitting said head to move axially on said dome; slips adapted to engage "and slide on said faces; means for holding said slips in engagementwith said faces; and members connected to saidhead and said slips whereby said slips are moved along said faces when said head moves axially on said dome.

2. A heaving plug adapted to'be lowered into and secured in the lower end of an oil tube, said heaving plug comprising: a body having faces which diverge towards the lower part of said body, and a dome formed above said faces; a head adapted to engage said dome; means preventing said head from rotating on said dome but permitting said head to move. axially on said dome; slips adapted to engage and slide on said faces; means for holing said slips in engagement with said faces; members connected to said head and said slips whereby said slips are moved along said faces when said head moves axially on said dome; and means for temporarily holding said head in a set position on said dome.

' 3. A heaving plug adapted to be lowered into and secured in thelower end of an oil tube, said heaving plug comprising: a body having faces which diverge towards the lower part of said body, a dome formed above said faces, and a flange separating said dome and said faces; a head adapted to engage said dome; means preventing said head from rotating on said dome but permitting said head to move axially on said dome; slips adapted to engage and slide on said faces; means for holding said slips in engagement with said faces; members connected to said head and said slips whereby said slips are moved along said faces when said head moves axially on said dome, said members extending through slots formed in said flange.

4. A heaving plug adapted to be lowered into and secured in the lower end of .an oil tube, said heaving plug comprising: a body having faces which diverge towards the lower part of said body, a dome formed above said faces. and a flange separating said dome and said faces; a head adapted to engage said dome; means preventing said head from rotating on said dome but permitting said head to move axially on said dome; slips adapted to engage and slide on said faces; means for holding said slips in engagement with said faces; members connected to-said head and said slips whereby said slips are moved along said faces when said head moves axially on. said dome, said members extending through slots formed in said flange; and means for temporarily holding said head in a set position on said dome.

5. A heaving plug adapted to be lowered into and secured in the lower end of an oil tube, said heaving plug comprising: a body having faces which diverge towards the lower part of said body, and a dome formed above said faces; a head adapted to engage said dome; a key carried by said head and extended into a keyway formed in said dome for preventing said head from rotating on said dome but permitting said head to move axially on said dome; slips adapted toengage and slide on said faces; means for holding said slips in engagement with said faces; and members connected to said head and said slips whereby said slips are moved along said faces when ally on said dome.

6. A heaving plug adapted to be lowered into and secured in the lower end of an oil tube, said heavin plug comprising: a body having faces w ich diverge towards the lower part of said body, a dome formed above said faces, and a flange separating said dome and said faces; a head adapted to engage said dome; a key carried by said head and extended into a keyway formed in said dome for preventing said head from rotating on said dome but permitting said head to move axially on said dome; slips adapted to engage and slide on said faces; means for holding said slips in engagement with said faces; and'members connected to said head and said slips wherebysaid slips are moved along said faces when said head moves axially on said dome, said members extending through slotsin said flange.

said head moves axi- 7. A heaving plug adapted to be lowered into and secured in the lower end of an oil tube, said heaving plug comprising: a body having faces which diverge towards the lower part of said body, a dome formed above said faces, and a flange separating said dome and said faces; a head adapted to engage said dome; a key carried by said head and extended into a keyway formed in said dome for preventing said head from rotating on said dome but permitting said head to move axially on said dome; slips adapted to engage and slide on said faces; means for holding said slips in engagement with said faces; members connected to said head and said slips whereby said slips are moved along said faces when said head moves axially on said dome, said members extending through slot-s formed in said flange; and means for temporarily holding said head in a set position on said dome.

8. A heaving plug adapted to be lowered into and secured in the lower end of an oil tube, said heaving plug comprising: a body having faces which diverge towards the lower part of said body, and a dome formed above said faces; a head adapted to engage said dome; means preventing said head from rotating on said dome but permitting said head to move axially on said dome; slips adapted to engage and slide on said faces; means for holding said slips in engagement with said faces; members connected to said head and said slips whereby said slips are moved along said faces when said head moves axially onsaid dome; and a shearable member engaging said head and said dome for temporarily holding said head in a set position on said dome, said shear-able member being broken when said heaving plug reaches home, thus permitting said head to move axially on said dome.

9. A heaving plug adapted to be lowered into and secured in the lower end of an oil tube, said heaving plug comprising: a body having faces which diverge towards the lower part of said body, a dome formed above,said faces, and a flange separating said dome and said faces; a head adapted to engage said dome; a key carried by said head and extended into a keyway formed in said dome for preventing said head from rotating on said dome but permitting said head to move axially on said dome; slipsv adapted to engage and slide on said faces;

means for holding said slips in engagementwith said faces; members connected to said head and said slips whereby said slips are moved along said faces when said head moves axially on said dome, said members extending througl slots formed in said flange; and a shearable member engaging said head and said dome for tem orarily holding said head in a set position on said dome, said shearable memberbcing broken when said heaving plug reaches home, thus permitting 1 said head to move axially on said dome.

' positions and 10. A heaving plug adapted to be lowered into and secured in the lower end of an oil well, said plug comprising: a primary body member; means for suspending said primary body member in a well; a secondary body member supported upon said primary body member for vertical movement thereupon between a lower position and an upper position; and gripping elements connected to said primary member and adapted to be shifted 'from retracted positions to extended positions by movement of said secondary body' member upon said primary body member from lower position to upper position.

11. A heaving plug adapted to be lowered into and secured in the lower end of an oil well, said plug comprising: a primary body member; means for suspending said primary body member in a well; a secondary body ,member supported upon said primary body member for vertical movement thereupon between a lower posltion and an upper POSl- .tion; means for retaining said secondary body member in inactive position against forces smaller than a given minimum; and gripping elements connected to said primary member and adapted to be shifted from retracted positions to extended positions by movement of said secondary body member upon said primary body member from lower position to upper position.

12. A heaving plug adapted to be lowered into and secured in the lower end of an oil well, said plug comprising: a primary body member; means for suspending said rimary body member in a well; a secon ary body member supported upon said primary body member for vertical movement thereupon between an inactive position and an active position, there being downwardly diverging surfaces rovided upon said secondary body member; slips slidable upon said surfaces to move between retracted extended positions; and links connecting said slips with said primary body.

member for moving said slips from retracted to extended posit-ions when said secondarybody member moves from inactive position to active position relative to said primary body member.

13. A heaving plug adapted to be lowered into and secured in the lower end of an oil well, said plug comprising: a primary body member; means for suspending said primary body member in a well; a secondary body member supported upon said primary'body member in an inactive position and adapted to move to an active position relative to said primary body member when said secondary body member is supported independently of the support of said primary body member,

' tween retracted posltions and extended positions; and links connecting said slips with said primary body member for moving said slips from retracted to extended positions when said secondary body member moves from inactive position to active position relative to said primary body member.

14. A heavin plug comprising: a primary member a apted to be suspended in a well; a secondary member supported upon said primary member and adapted to move freely upward to said primary member when the weight of said secondary member is otherwise supported, the construction of the members being such as to provide a cushioning air space between their upper ends; and slips associated with said members, said slips being disposed in an inactive position when said secondary member is supported upon said primary member, said slips being moved to active position by upward movement of said secondary member relative to said primary member.

15. A heaving plug adapted to be supported on a cable and lowered into a well, said plug comprising: a body; slips provided upon said body; gravity responsive means for moving said slips from a definitely retracted position to an extended position when said body comes into contact with an obstacle to its further downward movement in said well; and means com-' a definitely retracted position to an extended position when said body comes into contact with an obstacle to its further downward movement in said well; and means for cushioning the shock of such contact.

17. A heaving plug adapted to be sup ported on a cable and lowered into a well, said plug comprising: a body; slips provided upon said body; and gravity responsive means for moving said, slips from a retracted to an extended position when said body, comes into contact with an obstacle to its further downward movement in said well, said slips being returned to said re-- tracted position by the raising of said plug out of contact with said obstacle.

18. A heaving plug adapted to be supported ona cable and lowered into a well, said plug comprising: a body; slips provided upon said body; and gravity respon sive means for positively moving said slips from aretracted to an extended position y when said body comes into contact with an 19. A heaving plug adapted to be supported on a cable and lowered into a well,

said plug com rising: a body; slips provided upon sai body; and gravity responsive means for moving said slips from a retracted to an extended position when said body comes into contact with an obstacle to its further downward movement in said well, said slips being positively returned to said retracted position by the raising of said plug out contact with said obstacle.

20. A heaving plug adapted to be su ported on a cable and lowered into a we 1, said plug comprising: a body; slips,pro-

vided on said body, said slips being adapted to be extended when said plug is in position in a well; and means retracting said slips from said extended position when said plug is lifted-by said cable from said position.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto set our hands at Los Angeles, California, this 3rd day of May, 1926.

' RALPH R. HALL. FRANK J. KIGHTLINGER. 

